A breast biopsy is a procedure designed to remove a small amount of breast tissue from an abnormal finding. This is an outpatient procedure performed with a needle, local anesthesia and generally some form of imaging to guide the needle (most commonly, ultrasound).
The small piece of breast tissue is then evaluated by a pathologist and a diagnosis is made. Most breast biopsies are benign, non-cancerous.
Breast biopsies are performed to evaluate an area of concern that was identified during a breast screening, most common a mammogram. Breast biopsy results are usually available within two to three business days.
It is normal to feel nervous about having a biopsy performed. The results can provide peace of mind since a breast biopsy is generally the definitive method for determining the nature of an abnormality.
Your breast biopsy will be performed by a specialized doctor called a radiologist. During this procedure you will lie on your stomach on the MRI table with your breast in firm compression and the radiologist will use real-time MRI to guide accurate sampling. Contrast dye will be injected through an IV to visualize the lesion. After cleaning the skin, the doctor will inject local anesthetic into the breast tissue to minimize or eliminate pain during the procedure. The anesthetic may burn or sting initially but will start working within seconds. The doctor then inserts a thin hollow needle into the breast. Sometimes a small cut (about 3 mm) is made in the skin first to help facilitate needle placement. Through the hollow needle (co-axial technique) a thinner biopsy needle is placed, and a few tiny samples of tissue are obtained from the area of concern, typically 6-8 samples in total. The tissue samples are passed through the needle via suction.
Your breast biopsy will be performed by a specialized doctor called a radiologist. During this procedure you be seated or lay on your side with your breast compressed. The radiologist will use mammographic images to guide accurate sampling. After cleaning the skin, the doctor will inject local anesthetic into the breast tissue to minimize or eliminate pain during the procedure. The anesthetic may burn or sting initially but will start working within seconds. The doctor then inserts a needle into the breast. Sometimes a small cut (about 3 mm) is made in the skin first to help facilitate needle placement. Through the needle a few tiny samples of tissue are obtained from the area of concern, typically 3-8 samples in total. The tissue samples are passed through the needle via suction, and the tissue is imaged.
After sampling is completed a tiny metallic site marker or “microclip” about the size of a sesame seed is placed at the site of biopsy. This will remain in the breast unless surgery is required to remove the lesion and is important to locate the area for further treatment (if needed) or follow up.
Brevera Biopsy System
Technology to Reduce Pain and Stress During Breast Biopsy
Hoag knows that to a woman undergoing a breast biopsy, every minute matters. That is why Hoag is one of the only hospitals in Orange County to offer the Brevera Biopsy System, technology that increases the success rate of biopsies, while significantly decreasing the average time it takes to perform a biopsy. This focus on patient-centric care is one reason Hoag is the first and only hospital in Orange County to be named a Certified Breast Center of Excellence for the eighth consecutive year, recognizing Hoag’s position as a national leader in breast health.
Your breast biopsy will be performed by a specialized doctor called a radiologist. During this procedure you will lie on your back or side on the ultrasound table and the radiologist will use real-time ultrasound to guide accurate sampling. After cleaning the skin, the doctor will inject local anesthetic into the breast tissue to minimize or eliminate pain during the procedure. The anesthetic may burn or sting initially but will start working within seconds. The doctor then inserts a thin hollow needle into the breast. Sometimes a small cut (about 3 mm) is made in the skin first to help facilitate needle placement. Through the hollow needle (co-axial technique) a thinner biopsy needle is placed, and a few tiny samples of tissue are obtained from the area of concern, typically 3-5 samples in total. The biopsy needle and tissue samples are passed through the outer hollow needle, which minimizes contact with the other breast tissue.
To schedule other breast imaging such as non-routine screening mammogram, breast MRI, breast ultrasound, and diagnostic mammogram, please call 949-764-5573.